'No student goes hungry' - second food bank opens on UPEI campus

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - A new food bank has opened on the campus of the University of P.E.I.

Launched by the UPEI Student Union, SUpplies is located at the Mickey’s Place Kiosk in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre.

“Food insecurity is a rising concern amongst UPEI students,” said Sarah MacEachern, student life vice-president of the UPEISU.

“We wanted to ensure that we were taking any steps required to counter this issue and help our students.”

While there is already a food bank on campus in the chaplaincy centre, the student union believes the high traffic of students in the student centre will increase accessibility and the pair will operated complementary to each other.

“We set the hours for the food bank after consulting with the operators of the existing one,” said MacEachern.

“This way, when one food bank is closed the other will be open, ensuring no student goes hungry. If these hours do not work for students, we encourage them to reach out and we will work around that.”

In addition to food items, the food bank is stocked with other essentials like school supplies and hygiene products. The student union is cash, food or supply donations to keep the food bank running.